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Tuesday, May 8, 2012

NC Voting Day

This is just a quick, very important reminder. If you live in North Carolina, please go vote today.

It is my strong hope that you will vote AGAINST an amendment to our state's constitution that will not only ban gay marriage, but also ban civil unions, potentially strip families of health coverage, and eliminate child custody and visitation rights and domestic violence protection laws.

The full implications of this terribly written legislation might not be felt by everyone, but the signal this sends about our state is awful - that we are still so mired in discrimination and bigotry we will not allow people who love one another the same rights simply because they are different.

Do remember that in our country it was once illegal for a white person to marry someone of another race.

How is this ban on gay marriage any different?

It's just as discriminatory and just as hurtful as those old segregation laws. What's next? Separate bathrooms for homosexual couples?

And aside from these points, people are doing it anyway! A single, stupid law will not stop women from falling in love with women, or men with men, choosing to share a life together, live together, and raise children together. They will do it anyway!

The best analogy is a ban on stitching sawtooth stars with pink and
orange fabric. It may clash, but if you are bound and determined to piece those stars with that fabric, is a law really going to stop you? No one wins with this law, and
lots of people will be hurt by it.

I sincerely hope you will look at this issue with an open, logical mind and will cast your vote today.

---UPDATE---

It seems, very unfortunately, the majority of people in NC do not share my sentiments. This discriminatory legislation passed.

North Carolina can count on moving backward, not forward, into the 21st century.

28 comments:

I love how you are completely willing to share and support your personal feelings on this blog. If I lived in NC I'd be right out there voting with you! Thanks for taking the time to support a very important human rights issue, as well as all the amazing quilting content.

I voted, Leah. And i voted FOR anyone who Loves anyone to do WHATEVER-THE-HECK they want! It doesn't affect me, and i don't see HOW it affects anyone ELSE who's not in *that* relationship.Thanks for the PSA. =-)

Dearest Leah, Thank you so much! I am not gay, nor do I know many gay people but I support solid couples and sound and loving partnerships in general and as such, I totally agree! I live in Denmark where gay marriage has been legal for many years, and it seems to have only vrought joy.

Thank you for your beautifully written stance on the NC amendment banning the rights of two human beings, who happen to be of the same sex, to marry and live under the full protection of the laws available to heterosexual married couples. You are a shining example for all.

Good for you, Leah - not too many people these days have the strength and courage to speak up for their convictions. I believe you're right - this is not a legal issue; it's a personal right. I live in Texas so I can't vote against this but I would if I could.

I'm hoping and wishing that common sense prevails in NC from here in Canada where gay marriage is as legal as straight marriage and yet the sky has not fallen. It isn't even remarkable anymore - it's just normal life.

Good on you for making a stand and saying how you feel. I am with you on this, and I get quite annoyed with people who feel they should impose their will and beleifs on others when this issue doesn't affect themselves in any way. Its a form of bullying as well. Now to get off my soapbox. By the way, I am a New Zealander living in Australia.

I live in NC and voted against this awful amendment today. It's hard to believe that people who think of themselves as "Christians" can be so full of hatred towards gays. I just don't understand how they can be that way--it's a sad day for NC.

Way to go Leah. I think it's way too important for people to be able to commit to each other. I work in a hospital and there are just way too many times when someone is sick and their significant other (same sex or not)has no right to be at the bedside or have any role in decision making - regardless of what the patient wants. It would have cracked me up if it hadn't been so sad, that when my ex (who'd decided he liked a certain man) was dying. I had to be the go between for his significant other in many things. Thank heaven and I know Rich was so much more at peace knowing I'd look out for Matt and make sure he got his say.

I've never commented before, but I just had to say THANK YOU for your post and I am so sorry that more people don't feel as you do. I simply cannot understand who could be "against" love and caring and kindness in any form. Boggles the mind.

Hey Leah, I live in a state that's even "fuller" of backward thinking, ignorant mother***s - Arizona. I fell like moving even though I love it. Thank you for speaking out. A lot of people read your blog and maybe you caused some to rethink this subject. Gay bonds, or unmarried bonds, are still bonds and deserve the same rights as people who spoke in front of a minister or magistrate. Maggie in Awesome Arizona with a lot of unawesome people.

Thank you for your post and for your site. I have followed you for a while and have your books. You have taught me a lot! Many times I feel alone as I sit in a big guild meeting and look around and pretty much guess I am the only one and so often it seems like the whole quilting world is quite conservative. So thank you. Feeling less alone now.

Unfortunately, 31 other states, including mine, Oregon, have passed this kind of law, so you are not alone. My kids assure me that gay marriage will eventually be legal, because their generation doesn't care. Thanks for sharing your support for equal civil rights on your blog!

A Little Advice from Leah:

Stop stressing about perfection. Perfection does not exist past 25 inches! Actually, make that 5 inches.

Don't be afraid of your tension dial - it was put there for a reason.

Quilt because it makes you happy, not because you need to "finish this damn quilt!"

If you've never quilted before and are waiting for that perfect day when the kids are grown or you're retired, STOP WAITING! Today is the day, now is the time, get off your butt and do it!

Eat, Quilt, Sleep, Repeat.

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